Top 10 Children’s Fiction for June 2016

Mid winter favourites reveal fans of some classic children’s authors. Enid Blyton and Roald Dahl are two very different authors creating very different worlds for their imaginary children and their readers.

The secret seven adventures were so popular that the translations inspired writers from other countries to develop the characters in their own stories.  Some of these were translated back into English some outlandish titles like… “The famous Five and the Z-Rays

1. Diary of a wimpy kid, by Jeff Kinney

2. Tom Gates series, by Liz Pichon

3. Storey Treehouse series, by Andy Griffiths

4. Where’s Wally? by Martin Handford

5. Dirty Bertie series, by Alan MacDonald

6. The Secret Seven, by Enid Blyton

7. Big Nate series, Lincoln Peirce

8. The hidden oracle, by Rick Riordan

9. Gangsta granny, by David Walliams

10. Matilda, by Roald Dahl

Children’s DVD Review: Oliver and Company

Looking for a Walt Disney classic of all time? Check out the latest DVD that has been added to the Children’s movie collection: Oliver and Company.

image courtesy of syndeticsI loved this movie when I was a kid, which was released in 1988/89. Nearly thirty years later and on DVD, I love it more as an adult, and especially as a proud fur parent of two cats.

Based on the novel Oliver Twist, by Charles Dickens, Oliver, the orphaned kitten, is befriended by Dodger, the cool mutt from a New York pack of pickpocked pooches.

Soon, Oliver is lovingly adopted by Jenny, a lonely little rich girl, until tough-guy Sykes and his Doberman sidekicks try to keep Jenny and Oliver apart. Now it’s up to Oliver, Dodger, and all his colourful, street-smart canine pals to outwit the villains and rescue the girl.

Overall , Disney’s wonderfully charming classic “Oliver and Company” is one of the most best animated films you’ll ever see.

It has a fantastic cast, not to mention musical numbers from music icons such as Billy Joel, Bette Midler and Huey Lewis – very popular artists in the 1980s and 1990s – and from your parents’/grandparents’ generation.

This is a film for all the Walt Disney and feline lovers out there.

A well deserved 8/10.

Top 10 Children’s Fiction May 2016

There are some terrific series in the lists for May.  Adventure, laughs and brave heroes of a young age taking on the extraordinary and the very ordinary – both can be pretty daunting!

There’s lots of reading going on with the long winter evenings, some of it will be the finalists in the New Zealand Post Book awards.  I wonder if any of these will make it into the Libraries’ Top 10??  Remember Hell Pizza are really keen to tempt you into expanding your world of imagination, wonder and delight by rewarding you with pizza!  Every seven books entitles a lucky reader (5-12 years old) to a free pizza. Yum!

 

Here’s your Top 10 novels for May 2016:

1.Diary of a wimpy kid, by Jeff Kinney

2. Tom Gates series by Liz Pichon

3. Storey Treehouse series by Andy Griffiths

4. Where’s Wally? by Martin Handford

5. Dirty Bertie series by Alan MacDonald

6. Percy Jackson series, by Rick Riordan

7. Ruby Redfort series by Lauren Child

8. Big Nate series by Lincoln Peirce

9. The Secret Seven, by Enid Blyton

10.Harry Potter and the philosopher’s stone, by J. K. Rowling

Top 10 Children’s Comics for May 2016

Join Charlie Brown, Peppermint Patty, Snoopy and the rest of the gang in their crazy adventures in and out of school and throughout the baseball season.  Come fly with Snoopy and Woodstock as they battle the Red Barron once again!  Other school capers in Big Nate’s adventures are ready for winter adventures. Prepare your snowball skills online

1. Tintin, by Herge

2. Peanuts, by Charles M. Schulz

3. Big Nate series, by Lincoln Peirce

4. Pokemon series by Hidenori Kusaka

5. Garfield, by Jim Davis

6. Adventure time, By Ryan North

7. Amulet, by Kazu Kibuishi

8. Chi’s sweet home, by Kanata Konami

9. Babymouse, by Jennifer M. Holm

10. Asterix omnibus, by Goscinny and Udzero

 

 

 

 

Enjoy a cosy family film night with a Disney classic

Sick of the cold weather? Snuggle up on the couch with one of these classic Disney flicks!

The Princess and the FrogThe Princess and the Frog (2009) rated PG

Discover what really happened after the princess kissed the frog! Enter Tiana’s world of talking frogs, singing alligators and lovesick fireflies as she embarks on an incredible journey through the mystical bayous of Louisiana. Spurred on by a little courage and a great big dream, these new friends come to realise what’s truly important in life.

 

The Lion King (1994) rated GThe Lion King

Simba is a lion cub who dreams of succeeding his father and becoming king of the Pride Lands. But tricked into thinking he is responsible for King Mufasa’s death, Simba runs away, leaving his cruel uncle Scar in charge. As he grows up, and with some good advice from his jungle friends, Simba realises he has to return to the Pride Lands. But will Simba be able to defeat Scar and take his rightful place on Pride Rock?

 

TangledTangled (2010) rated PG

When the kingdom’s most wanted (and most charming) bandit hides in a mysterious tower, the last thing he expects to find is Rapunzel, a spirited young woman with 20 meters of magical golden hair. Together, the unlikely duo sets off on a fantastic journey filled with unexpected heroes and lots of laughter!

 

Hercules (1997) rated GHercules

Bestowed with superhuman strength, a young mortal names Hercules sets out to prove himself a hero to his father, the great god Zeus. Tricked by Hades, the evil god of the underworld, Hercules is forced to choose between his legendary strength and his one true love, but in the process learns that it is the strength of your heart that matters most.

 

The Little MermaidThe Little Mermaid (1989) rated G

Ariel is a fun-loving and mischievous mermaid who loves all things human, including Prince Eric, the man of her dreams. Determined to become human, she makes a deal with the sea witch and trades her fins and beautiful voice for legs. With her best friends by her side, Ariel must win the prince’s love and save her father’s kingdom before it’s too late.

 

 

New ‘The BFG’ movie traliers

We know you’re as excited as us about the upcoming release of the movie The BFG. So we thought you’d appreciate watching the latest movie trailers.

 

 

You can grab a copy of The BFG from your local library as a book, eBook, an audiobook on CD, and an animated TV movie from 2012.

Keep your ears and eyes tuned to Wellington City Libraries as we will have some exciting news soon about a BFG event that we know you won’t want to miss out on.

Top 5 family DVDs to watch during winter

The holidays are over but winter is well on it’s way. So come on down to your local library for DVDs to watch while you hibernate.

Check out the following five DVD recommendations, many that I watched (on video tape) during my childhood, and are still family favourites today:

 

lochness1) Loch Ness.

Is the Loch Ness monster real? A scientist (Ted Danson) sets out to Scotland to try and prove it’s existence. However nothing can prepare him for the magical journey ahead of him. Overall, it’s a beautiful, heart-warming film without losing sight of its main theme, not to mention a brief cameo from “Nessie” which  is heart-warmingly portrayed, thanks to the  creature effects by the Jim Henson Creature Shop.

 

goonies_2) The Goonies.

The Goonies plunges a band of small heroes into a swashbuckling adventure beyond their wildest dreams.  A true family classic that pays homage to the 1980s aka your parents’ generation.

 

 

 

HEIDI3) Heidi.

After charming her reclusive grandfather and falling in love with the beautiful mountain he calls home, Heidi is uprooted and sent to Frankfurt where she befriends Klara, a young girl confined to a wheelchair. Interesting fact: The actress, Patricia Neal, who plays Peter’s Grandmother was married to Roald Dahl.

 

 

image courtesy of amazon.com4) The Adventures of Milo and Otis.

What happens when you put together a curious cat and a pug nosed pup? Why The Adventures of Milo and Otis of course. Watch this movie and join Milo (an orange tabby cat) and Otis (a pug) on an epic adventure when they leave the farm for the first time and venture out into the big, bad world, while getting separated, then reuniting and making some new friends along the way. A must see film for all the animal lovers out there.

 

image courteesy of amazon.comimage courtesy of amazon.com5) The NeverEnding Story and The NeverEnding Story II.

A lonely boy, Bastian finds solace in magical book that tells a story of a young warrior whose task is to stop a dark storm called the Nothing from engulfing a fantasy world called Fantasia. But Bastian is yet realise his importance in role of destroying the nothing and ensuring the  survival of Fantasia and all its  inhabitants.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Top 10 Children’s comics April 2016

Asterix and Obelix have new creators, Conrad and Ferri!   With the blessing of the remaining Asterix creator Albert Udzero, these two are creating some great new adventures for our Gaulish heroes.

Where do you think they will send our heroes next? Where would you set an adventure for Asterix and Obelix? Let us know in the comments.

1. Peanuts, by Charles M. Schulz

2. Pokemon, by Hidenori Kusaka

3. Big Nate, by Lincoln Peirce

4. Asterix, by Goscinny and Udzero

5. Tintin, by Herge

6. Garfield, by Mark Evanier

7. Amulet, by Kazu Kibuishi

8. Adventure time, by Ryan North

9. Chi’s sweet home, by Kanata Konami

10. Sonic Saga series, by Ian Flynn

 

Top 10 Childrens DVDs March 2016

Never-never land has two film adaptations in this month’s Top 10!  Through Peter Pan and Tinker Bell, author J. M. Barrie has inspired so many authors that you can find references to them in comics, movies and other books all through the library (we even have a Russian language version!).  Even in musical scores Peter Pan magic pervades the library

1.  My little pony, friendship is magic

2. Inside out

3. Legends of Chima

4. Strawberry Shortcake

5. Minions

6. Home

7. Dragons

8. Pan

9. Cinderella

10. Tinker Bell and the legend of the NeverBeast

Top 10 Childrens fiction March 2016

There’s a great mix of new and classic authors in the  Top 10 for March. The Fantastic Mr Fox has some cool adaptations in the Library.  The film is available on DVD and…. as an outdoor movie coming up on April 16 at Kahurangi School in Strathmore. Got the Fantastic Fox buzz? if you’re interested in something on the theatrical side there’s the play!  Have you taken part in the play? Let us know in the comments.

 

Here are your Top 10 for March:

1. Diary of a wimpy kid, by Jeff Kinney

2. Tom Gates, by Liz Pichon

3. Storey Treehouse Series, by Andy Griffith

4. Dirty Bertie, Alan MacDonald

5. Where’s Wally? by Martin Handford

6. Big Nate, by Lincoln Peirce

7. Once Upon a Dork, by  Rachel Renée Russell

8. Harry Potter and the philosopher’s stone, J. K. Rowling

9. Captain Underpants and the sensational saga of Sir Stinks-A-Lot, by Dav Pilkey

10. Fantastic Mr Fox, by Roald Dahl